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My dh and I are in the market for a new digital camera. Ours is really, really old, and the zoom is horrible. Many of the blogs I read take great pictures, so I'm wondering--what camera do you recommend? I want something that will serve us well on nature hikes and the like. I don't need anything too fancy, but I want good shots, whether they are close up or not.
Thanks for helping!
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17 comments:
My camera isn't a real expensive camera, but I love it. It is a Kodak Easy Share. I love the zoom, and different settings on it and it is not bulky so it is great for hikes. Of course I would love to have a Nikon or Cannon someday!
I guess it depends on how much you are planning to spend. For point and shoot cameras I have had Sony, Nikon, and Cannon. All have performed well for what they were. These are nice because they are easy to carry all the time but especially when we go biking. But that being said, a DSLR is really a much better choice when it comes to quality of photo's and ability to edit them in software. I take all of my pictures in RAW format with my DSLR (Nikon D90)this way I can adjust white balance etc with all the digital information available (jpegs are compressed and lose some info). There are many reasonable DSLR's out there for the beginner but they are more expensive. Hope that helps.
I use a Canon PowerShot SD 780 IS Digital ELPH. While I probably could have gotten a DSLR, I opted for a point and shoot with all sorts of extra features because I am not that good at the photo thing yet :) Plus I wanted something that can do videos. It was I think around $200 at WalMart. One negative is that it has absolutely NO onboard storage so you need a memory card for it to save any pictures at all.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SX120IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B002LITT3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276775168&sr=8-1
I spent a lot of time researching for a good point and shoot. My budget was $350...and I spent $200! With the Canon SX120-IS, with 12 megapixels and 10x zoom, it was a good option. The reviews are what did it for me...it was a Consumer Report best buy (meaning best value for the money) and had reviews at other places that compared to the high end point and shoots.
My favorite thing is that I rarely need to use a flash indoors in the daytime! The camera's flash is manual, and I prefer this (now) since I rarely need it...and it tells me when I do need it. I do videos frequently with it. If the lighting is good, especially outside, the videos are great.
It fits in a pocket with the 10x zoom, which makes it seem "cheapie", but I still love it.
Have fun with your research!
Other than CR, I also used http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/ for professional reviews...and sites like Walmart and Amazon for others, but don't find those as reliable.
I use a digital Canon Rebel XT. LOVE it, but it is pricey. It takes fantastic pictures and I love how it doesn't "delay" trying to focus on the subject, especially a moving subject like my 3 sons! The only downside is that it's big and bulky - won't just fit in your pocket!
I will come out of lurkdom to post my suggestions. If you don't want the expense and bulk of a dSLR (I have an old Canon Rebel XT dSLR that is still going strong after 5 years of heavy use)
then I would look into the Canon Powershots. Look toward the higher end ones like the 780 IS. That's what I have as my pocket camera. I can easily tell the difference between the pictures that I took with my dSLR and the Powershot, but for a pocket camera the powershots are going to give you good pictures. I personally can't get good pictures with it inside because I have an older house that is very dark, but it does a nice job outside. Also I like that it takes HD video clips.
We learned that you get what you pay for. We've had good luck with Kodaks, but we bought one of the cheap ones last year (one of those $60 after Thanksgiving specials) and it broke the first time it was dropped. It was only a month old, so we sent it to be repaired. It came back with one problem fixed and a new problem instead, so we still can't use. Invest the money in one that's going to last.
Another fan of DSLR's here.
I do also have a point and shoot (Cannon Powershot which is a great camera), but find myself rarely using it.
Once you have had a DSLR I don't think you can ever go back.
I have the Cannon EOS 450D, and a couple of different lenses depending on what I will be shooting, and how big/heavy I want the camera to be.
The standard lens is a great all rounder, but I also have a couple with a bit more zoom for distance stuff, so I am not always right on top of the kids. My favorite lens at the moment is the EFS 18 - 135mm, and although it isn't perfect for the really up close stuff, it is a great compromise.
If you can afford it get a DSLR - that would be my advice.
I have a Canon EOS Rebel T1i and love, love, love it. Have never regretted spending the money on it. =) Hope you find one that works for you!
Hi! My camera is a Fuji FinePix J10. It was only $100 (according to my mother, who bought it for us when Benjamin was born).
I love it--it's lightweight, thin & takes great photos!!
Thanks for reading my blog...I love e-mails & comments! :)
I have a Canon Eos, Rebel XS...with a 18-55mm lens...it really does just about everything. The only feature that I'm missing is the image stabilizer, which is on the new models. I LOVE my camera...it's a JOY to take pictures, and they almost always turn out great!
Come to our blog and see for yourself
http://www.twigandtoadstool.blogspot.com
I personally use a Fujifilm Fine Pix S1000 Digital camera. I am grateful for all of the extra settings on it. It has 10 megapixels, and a great digital zoom. It has macro settings for close up shots. Sometimes I feel the light meter doesn't work well unless I manually set the settings...in other words, if it's too sunny out and I have it set to automatic, sometimes it overexposes the shot, and it's too dark. That's my only complaint about that camera.
I purchased mine as a demo model from a department store (it was the model that all of the customers handled when deciding on a camera)...thus it was sold for much cheaper than the list price (which was something like $249 for list price and just under $100 for the demo). If you find one you love but it's out of your price range, ask around, and see if your stores are getting ready to get rid of their batch of demo cameras. I've bought may goods this way, by the way.
I've borrowed a friend's Canon Rebel EOS and I LOVE it...I used to have a Canon Rebel Film camera, and it's a very nice camera to have.
I use Kodak Easy Share. It is easy to use and didn't cost a fortune. I have had it for 2 years with no problems.
Hi,
I'm your newest follower.
Have a blessed Monday.
www.ourhopeisinthelord.blogspot.com
April
Costco has a good package deal on Canon Rebel or Nikon. We get lots of questions about what kind of camera we take and although it's a big bigger than point and shoots - its a good camera.
steph h
I currently own a Sony cybershot (older 2006 model), a Cannon 50D (with multiple lenses), and a Cannon PowerShot SX20IS.
Hands down, my 50D is my "baby", changeable lenses, great features, outstanding quality. But for everyday around the house it's cumbersome. This one is gonna set you back more than others though, probably around 1500-2000 once you get batteries, lens protectors, lenses, cam bag, etc.
My go to camera is the Cannon powershot, it's a mid size but it takes GREAT pictures. I actually have one blown up to a 10x13 on my wall of my kids, with the lens at near full zoom. I love the moveable screen (when you are trying to get a picture above a crowd it's great! position the screen down so you can see it and presto!) These run about 350, but they truely are amazing.
Now if I'm just grabbing a shot of something quick I'll grab the Sony Cybershot, it's really small. It fits in my pocket, and it is handy to have around. I also allow the kids to use this one, since I wouldn't care so much if it was damaged. My cybershot is older, so when we bought it, we paid about 300, now you can probably score one for about 100.
My "can't live without" features are these:
decent battery life (terrible when you run out at an amusement park or the like)
auto off after no use within a certain time frame
image stablization
clear screen
auto white balance
good zoom
quick shooting
Now don't forget you may have to get a different memory card for a new camera, so that can tack on an easy 50 bucks. All 3 of mine take different cards.
I love my Nikon D40, however it is big and sometimes is a pain to carry around. You can't just toss it in your purse. However, the pictures are amazing!
In the past I have had 3 different models of Sony Cybershots and loved them all!
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